Sirius have topped the table all season but are now a prime target ahead of what is shaping up to be the most exciting match of the year so far in the Swedish league.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Hammarby had lost the derby against Djurgården and trailed by 11 points.
Since then, Sirius have suffered two heavy defeats at home at Studenternas, losing 2-2 to Elfsborg and 1-2 to AIK.
Hammarby have also returned from away matches against Halmstad and Mjällby with six points.
“Gives a hell of a lot of energy”
With five rounds left, the door to the title race is wide open - and on Thursday evening, Hammarby can push it wide open.
"Two rounds ago, things were relatively negative here. Now it's very much alive, and it gives you a hell of a lot of energy," says Henrik Rydström.
The 50-year-old took over as head coach during the World Cup break after Kalle Karlsson was sacked. At the time, "Bajen" were 11 points ahead of the in-form team from Uppsala.
Now Rydström is waiting expectantly at the Årsta IP training facility, with just over a day to go until the red-hot, sold-out clash between the teams at the top of the table.
Tomorrow I hope the crowd really becomes that classic twelfth player - or maybe even thirteenth - and helps us fly, says the Småland native, who led Malmö FF to two consecutive Swedish Championship titles in 2023 and 2024.
“Built something amazing”
Hammarby's only men's Swedish Championship title dates back 25 years. After finishing second in the Allsvenskan in each of the last two seasons, captain Nahir Besara is not keen to finish second again.
"To be honest, I don't even know where I have my silver medals," says the 35-year-old.
We as a club have built something fantastic and we are always up there, but now we need to take the final step.
“Nothing to lose”
Besara notes that the title was "wrapped up and ready" for Sirius a couple of rounds ago.
We have nothing to lose; we're the ones chasing. It's a different matter for Sirius. They had a big lead, and suddenly - after a defeat - it could be down to three points. I don't think anyone has been closer than six points for a long time. Of course, they probably feel some kind of pressure.
Sirius, who have never finished higher than seventh in the Allsvenskan, travel to Stockholm with a record 3,000 supporters.
After taking 41 points in the first half of the season, Sirius' points-per-game average has almost halved (from 2.73 to 1.40) since Scottish striker Robbie Ure was sold to Sevilla in August.
"It was quite logical that they couldn't replace him with a player of the same quality. But it's still a damn good team with a clear identity. We have to be at our best," says Rydström.
Sirius: 55 points, goal difference +24.
Fixtures: Hammarby (Thursday, away), Halmstad (November 3, home), Kalmar FF (November 8, home), Djurgården (November 22, home), IFK Göteborg (November 29, home).
Hammarby: 49 points, goal difference +31.
Fixtures: Sirius (Thursday, home), Malmö FF (Sunday, away), Elfsborg (November 6, home), IFK Göteborg (November 23, home), Västerås SK (November 29, away).
